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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Sorting Toys-Please Add Input
Unregistered 08:22 AM 01-03-2012
I have over kill on toys! I need some help with sorting for a mixed group. Half my daycare is bigger kids, and the other half is for babies. My issue is that the babes are all one years old now.......so what toys should be available for free play in the baby(one year old to, under two) area? What toys are played with, what works, what doesn't. Would love tons of ideas, helps and inspiration on how to manage toys. I get the rotate toys, but what toys do you leave out all the time and are well loved and played with? What toys do you put up and just take out from time to time? What toys do you not include in your daycare and why? (besides the no batteries for those of you that like that style) What toys hold attention and keep the boredom blues away? What are your five top favorite toys?
Heidi 10:34 AM 01-03-2012
sad to say, for my toddlers, no pounding toys. THey only pound each other...
Toddlers=
-a few hats and square scarves, and a acrylic mirror at their height. A few old purses or wallets (check for loose buttons, though!)
-light plastic balls from walgreens with different textures, and something mounted to throw them in
-a million different cars and trucks (mini Chuck trucks are a favorite here because they fit in their hands so nicely)
-a couple baby dolls & bottles (no clothes needed-they just strip them anyway)
-some push toys with places to stuff things in
-a small slide or soft climbing mats, even a couple crib mattresses on the floor stacked up
-a wooden toddler kitchen would be really nice (vs. the preschool sized one I have, too complex). I do not have a small table in there, because all they do is climb on it.
-lots of cardboard books, and something mounted or heavy to put them in
-discovery bottles (we made them with 20oz soda bottles) filled with oil/water, soapy water, , glitter & oil or water, or anything interesting you can find)
-for some reason, my toddlers LOVE old salt containers (the round ones)
-along that vein, oatmeal drums, and any other small sturdy cardboard
-really simple puzzles, but only one or two, because they mostly get taken apart and thrown around, and then guess who puts them back together (with "help")
-little people anything
-interesting stuffed animals or hand puppets.
Toddlers=
-a few hats and square scarves, and a acrylic mirror at their height. A few old purses or wallets (check for loose buttons, though!)
-light plastic balls from walgreens with different textures, and something mounted to throw them in
-a million different cars and trucks (mini Chuck trucks are a favorite here because they fit in their hands so nicely)
-a couple baby dolls & bottles (no clothes needed-they just strip them anyway)
-some push toys with places to stuff things in
-a small slide or soft climbing mats, even a couple crib mattresses on the floor stacked up
-a wooden toddler kitchen would be really nice (vs. the preschool sized one I have, too complex). I do not have a small table in there, because all they do is climb on it.
-lots of cardboard books, and something mounted or heavy to put them in
-discovery bottles (we made them with 20oz soda bottles) filled with oil/water, soapy water, , glitter & oil or water, or anything interesting you can find)
-for some reason, my toddlers LOVE old salt containers (the round ones)
-along that vein, oatmeal drums, and any other small sturdy cardboard
-really simple puzzles, but only one or two, because they mostly get taken apart and thrown around, and then guess who puts them back together (with "help")
-little people anything
-interesting stuffed animals or hand puppets.
Cat Herder 10:52 AM 01-03-2012
I wish I could give you a one size fits all answer, but IME it varies based on the group of individuals you have. 
If you have throwers, stompers, shredders, dumpers and more aggressive/destructive kids you can only leave soft or light weight toys out at all times (specifically indirect supervision times like meal prep and diaper changing).
If you have more creative, less destructive kids, then a huge dramatic play area with lots of costumes and mirrors is fantastic to have available at all times.
If you have many overweight or high energy kids you should consider leaning toward more physical activities like tumble mats, foot to floor scooters, hoppers tunnels or climbers.
Of course ALL kids should be exposed to ALL possible experiences you have to offer....but to leave them all out, at all times, without direct supervision, can be costly and even dangerous, IMHO.
If you have throwers, stompers, shredders, dumpers and more aggressive/destructive kids you can only leave soft or light weight toys out at all times (specifically indirect supervision times like meal prep and diaper changing).
If you have more creative, less destructive kids, then a huge dramatic play area with lots of costumes and mirrors is fantastic to have available at all times.
If you have many overweight or high energy kids you should consider leaning toward more physical activities like tumble mats, foot to floor scooters, hoppers tunnels or climbers.
Of course ALL kids should be exposed to ALL possible experiences you have to offer....but to leave them all out, at all times, without direct supervision, can be costly and even dangerous, IMHO.
meganlavonnesmommy 11:40 AM 01-03-2012
Top five most played with are my train table, birthday candles, grocery cart, cardboard blocks and pet doctor set. Our #1 most played with toy is our baby crib and dolls. I have a small wooden crib, 4 plastic dolls, a few bottles, spoons, bowls and receiving blankets. They spend hours playing babies, even the boys. We wash them with washclothes, give them baths, feed them, rock them. Great imaginative play.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AM03TQ/...SIN=B000AM03TQ
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-B...5619311&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Tikes-S...5619337&sr=1-5
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-D...5619355&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Battat-68029-D...5619373&sr=1-9
I have a play kitchen (mostly because every parent seems to think you NEED a play kitchen for kids), but honestly, no one plays with it. I got rid of kid sized tables and chairs long ago, all they do is jump on it and climb on it. No wooden blocks, they just get thrown at people.
I wish I had two grocery cart, they fight over it a lot. I also wish I had room for a mirror for our dress up area. And better pop up play tents. I used to have a great one, but it broke. They used it a lot, and I havent found a good one since.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AM03TQ/...SIN=B000AM03TQ
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-B...5619311&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Tikes-S...5619337&sr=1-5
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-D...5619355&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Battat-68029-D...5619373&sr=1-9
I have a play kitchen (mostly because every parent seems to think you NEED a play kitchen for kids), but honestly, no one plays with it. I got rid of kid sized tables and chairs long ago, all they do is jump on it and climb on it. No wooden blocks, they just get thrown at people.
I wish I had two grocery cart, they fight over it a lot. I also wish I had room for a mirror for our dress up area. And better pop up play tents. I used to have a great one, but it broke. They used it a lot, and I havent found a good one since.